David Barton Falsely Claims the Bible Bans Governments From Helping the Poor

Debunked historian David Barton falsely claimed, on the Frank Pastore radio show, that Deuteronomy 15 and 24 are the biblical basis for not allowing the government to care for the poor.

However, those verses were specifically directed to the children of Israel and do not forbid governments from creating social programs to help the poor.

Barton said: “Because government is not supposed to be in compassion and caring. Government is supposed to be bearing arms, punishing the wicked and rewarding the righteous… that’s not the role of government… That’s why the bible drew the line, hey, it’s the wrong institution to be reaching out with a caring hand.”
(Source: KKLA-FM)